Abrading apparatus



May 30, 1939. E. o. HAM-REN ABRADING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 24, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 30, 1939. E. o. HAMREN ABRADING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 24, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 GUM/maul May 30, 1939. E. o. HAMREN 2,160,697

I ABRADING APPARATUS 7 Filed Feb. 24, 1936 '7 Sheets-Sheet s y 30, 1939- o. HAMREN 2,160,697

ABRADING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 24, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 OHM AM y 30, 1939- E. o. HAMREN 2,160,697

ABRADING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 24, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 gwuc/wbov int 0 {70/22/01 May 30, 1939- E. o. HAMREN ABRADING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 24, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 y 30, 1939- E. o. HAMREN 2,160,697

ABRADING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 24, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Ink 0- Haw/w:

JV T55 4 J 95% /M%%4zw Patented May 3c, 1939 A I 2,160,697-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ABRADING APPARATUS Eric 0. Hamren, Hagerstown, Md., assignor to Pangborn Corporation, Hagerstown, Md., a corporation of- Maryland Application February 24, 1936, Serial No. 65,509

31 Claims. (01. 51-9) The present invention relates to abrading ma-' article of work into a blasting zone, cause the chines and it is more particularly concerned with article to dwell and simultaneously rotate about machines for cleaning large or heavy castings, a substantially vertical axis in the blasting zone although they are not limited to suchuse. and present all of its surfaces to one or more 5 In the past, castings have been treated in abrasive blast streams. 5

two ways. The small castings have either been It is another object to provide in an abrading placed in a tumbling drum and simultaneously machine, an automatic mechanism for comsubjected to the action of a sand blast or have paratively rapidly bringing articles of work into beenplaced on rotating tables and cleaned. The a blast zone and for causing them to dwell and larger and heavier castings have been placed on rotate about substantially vertical axes in the 10 a truck in a blast room and one or more workers blast zone for a comparatively long time and have cleaned them with air blast nozzles. having means for selectively varying the time This method of cleaning large castings is open which the work dwells in the blast zone. to many objections. In the first place it is a A further object is to provide an abrading mamanual operation and is accordingly expensive. chine having conveying means for carrying the 15 Moreover, the time consumed in loading articles articles of work through a closed path into and on the truck, pushing it into the blast room, out of a'blasting cabinet and which is so designed closing the doors, blasting the exposed surfaces of that none of the parts of the conveying means the work, turning the work over to blast the project down below the top of the cabinet, whereunderside thereof and finally removing the work by the cabinet is fully accessible from all sides, 20

from the blast room materially limits the amount and moving parts are not subject to abrading.

of work that can be handled by such methods and Another object is to provide an abrading maalso subjects operators to unfavorable working chine having a cabinet with a slotted roof through conditions. which suspended work carriers may travel, with 5 Such prior methods are also objectionable novel means for sealing the slot'against abrasive because they do not secure a uniformly cleaned or dust egress. product. Especially is this true when different My invention also aims to provide a novel comworkers are used since the angle of the blast bination of, blast wheels for use in an abrading stream and the duration of the treatment which machine that will insure efiicient cleaning of all 0 are both in the discretion of the worker, ma- 'of the surfaces of the work, and novel control terially affect the final condition of the product. mechanisms therefor.

Although automatic or semi-automatic blast- A further object is to devise a novel method of ing machines have been heretofore proposed for abrading articles such as large castings and the special purposes, for instance for frosting the like.

interior or exterior of glass globes and the like, for Another object is to devise novel conveyor 5 cleaning eggs, for cleaning automobile rims and mechanisms for use in an abrading machine for for cleaning ceramic articles, none of these maconveying articles of work therethrough.

chines are capable of, nor are'they contemplated A further object is to provide novel work for cleaning castings, much less for cleaning all turning mechanisms for an abrading machine. 1 40 sides of large castings of irregular sizes and My invention also aims to provide, for' use 1n 40 shapes. Such prior machines moreover would an abrading machine having a plurality of not sufliciently clean castings nor would they abrasive propelling devices, novel means for re-. clean all surfaces of castings even if they were covering and purifying the spent abrasive and a redesigned to handle aparticular sized and shaped novel device for feeding it back to the abrasive 4 casting. 1 propelling devices. 45

It is accordinglya primary object of this inven- Another object is to devise a cabinet for an tion to provide an abrading machine that will abrading machine which embodies novel dust coluniformly' and efficiently clean all of the surlecting, dust'arresting andabrasivewear resistfaces of castings of irregular sizes and shapes ing features. without manual aid, and to generally improve the Further objects of the invention will become abrading apparatus disclosed in the application apparent as the specification proceeds in conof William A. Rosenberger, Serial No. 34,990, filed 'nection with the annexed drawings, and from the August 6, 1935. appended claims. I

A furthermajor object of-this-invention is to In the drawings! provide an abrading machine that will take an Figure 1 is an end view in elevation of the machine of my invention and parts thereof have been broken away in order to more clearly illustrate the construction involved.

Figure 2 is a top plan view with parts of the machine removed and other parts in section of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a part of the machine shown in Figure 1 and illustrates a work carrier assembly emerging from the cabinet.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through one of the work carrier assemblies shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a transverse diagrammatic view of one of the abrasive propelling wheels employed in the machine.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a part of the machine shown in Figure 1 and illustrates one end of the walking beam and its interconnected work advancing pawl assembly.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of one of the pawls used in my machine.

Figure 8 is a front view of the upper part of the machine illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and illustrates the abrasive reclaiming mechanism and the supports for the monorail carrier.

Figure 9 is an end view of the abrasive reclaiming drum illustrated in Figure 8 as it appears when viewed from the left-hand end of that figure.

Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13 are diagrammatic views illustrating the cleaning action of the abrasive streams upon ,a hollow piece of work as it is rotated in the blast zone, and it also illustrates (in dotted lines) the cleaning action that would take place if the work were rotated at the intersection of the axes of the blast streams.

Figure 14 is a top plan.view with parts in section, of a modified form of walking beam assembly forming part of my invention.

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on the line I5l5 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a top plan view of an automatic abrasive cut-off assembly adapted for use with the machine shown in Figures 1 to 15 and forming part of my invention.

Figure 17 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 14, but illustrates a modified form of timing mechanism also forming part of my invention.

Figure 19 is a sectional view of the spring plunger assembly shown in Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a top plan view of a modified form of crank assembly that may be used in the machine shown in Figures 1 to '19, also forming part of the invention.

Figure 21 is a side elevation of the crank assembly of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a top plan fragmental view of a back stop pawl assembly preferably used in the machine when it is equipped with the crank assembly of Figures 20 and 21.

Figure 23 is a front view of one of the doors preferably employed in my machine.

Figure 24 is a top plan view of the door shown in Figure 23.

Figure 25 is a diagrammatic view of a control mechanism for the wheels shown in Figure 1, forming part of the invention.

Figure 26 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of mechanism for advancing the carriers, also forming part of my invention.

Figure 27 is a view taken on line 21-21 of Figure 26.

With continued reference to the drawings,

wherein like reference characters have been employed to designate like parts throughout the several figures thereof, the machine comprises in general a cabinet A which is of generally U-shape in top plan view, a conveyor mechanism B supported above the cabinet and adapted to propel a plurality of work carriers C through the cabinet, a plurality of abrasive propelling devices D, which provide a blasting zone within the cabinet, a mechanism E for intermittently advancing the carriers through the blasting zone, a work turning mechanism F for rotating the work as it dwells in the blasting zone, an abrasive reclaiming mechanism for recovering and cleaning the abrasive after it has been spent, and a mechanism for returningthe reclaimed abrasive to the abrasive propelling device.

Work supporting mechanism ers l4.

Secured to each bracket l2 by means of bolt assemblies I5 is a comparatively massive ring l6, and a shaft member I I having an integral flange portion providing ratchet teeth l8 and I9. Bracket l 2 is also provided with a tooth-forming portion 2|. Teeth l8 and 2| are adapted to cooperate with the work advancing mechanism to be hereinafter described, and teeth I9 of the bracket assemblies cooperate with a back-stop pawl to prevent reverse rotation of the carriers in a manner to be hereinafter set forth.

Secured to the lower end of each shaft member H by meansof cap screws 23 and washer 24 is a bearing assembly 25 which clamps a spacer and seal member 26 against the flanged portion of shaft l 1. Bearing assembly 25 is secured in a recess 21 in a gear 28 by means of a spacer 29, a plate 3| and cap screws 32. Lubrication of the bearing assembly is provided by a duct 33 to which may be secured a pressure fitting. The

lubricant is protected against abrasive contamination by a radial seal 34 bearing against a cylindrical surface on the seal member 26 and an axial seal 35 against a disc-like face provided on the seal member 26.

Secured to or formed on the under face of plate 3| is a socket member 31 which receives a work support 38. Each work support is detachably held in its socket by means of a shaft member 39 and the latter is in turn held in place by means of cotter pins 39a.

With reference to Figure 3, secured to ring l6 intermediate each work supporting assembly is a spacer member 4| which extends through a socket 42 and is secured to a preferably rigid ring member 43., Ring member 43 may be made in two or more parts and joined together to form a con inuous ring by means of a splice member 44 an it constitutes an abrasive baffle. I

The upper surface of cabinet A is provided with an arcuate slot 45 concentric to that of the .mono-rail track H and is of a width sufficient to allow socket members 42 to pass freely therethrough when the conveyor is actuated. Slot 45 is defined on either side by a curved plate 46 which terminates at the upper edge of the cabinet. Therefore, the slot assembly ,takes the form of a pair of downwardly extending flanges terminating flush with the upper surface 'of the cabinet.

Each work support 38 extends downwardly through a socket'member 48 rigidly secured to ring 43 and is provided with an abrasive baffling flange 49 and a work supporting hook 5|. The work is supported upon hook 5| in any suitable manner, as for instance by means of a chain 52 and a tong assembly 53. r

The exit side of the machine is shown in Figure 3 and the carrier and work is shown leaving the machine. The front of the cabinet as seen in this figure comprises a pair of plates 54 and 55 having inclined edges so as to make the opening as small aspossiblewithout interfering with passage of the work.

It is therefore seen that all of the working parts of the work turning and conveying mechanism are located-outwardly of the actual blast chamber and in order toassist in preventing abrasive from rebounding upwardly through slot 45 and thereby possibly getting into the mechanism, a flexible element 5'l,'preferably of thick rubber, is mounted upon sockets 42 and 48 and is apertured to permit spacers 4| andwork supports 38 to freely pass therethroughl Sockets 42 and 48 terminate short of the top of the cabinet and therefore when the conveyor structure is rotated, ring 51 is lifted up on the top of the cabinet and frictionally rides thereupon adjacent the slot' 45. It is accordingly seen that as the conveyor assembly, defined by rollers 4, ring IS, the gear assembly and ring 43, rotate, ring 43, which is preferably wider than slot 45, prevents rebounding abrasive from escaping directly through the slot and rubber ring 51, which cabinet, prevents any dust or fine abrasive from being carried out of the cabinet.

Conveyor advancing mechanism Supported above the cabinet for rocking movement about the axis of the conveyor in any suitable manner, is a channel member 8| which will hereinafter be referred to as the walking beam. The walking beam carries at each end thereof a pawl assembly and as they are identical in construction only one of them will be described in detail. With reference to Figure 6, a bracket 62 of generally U-shaped section and providing two spaced bearings 63, is welded or otherwise secured to the end of walking beam 6|. Detachably mounted in bracket 52, by means of a clip 64, is a pin 65 upon which is journaled a bolt member 66 having an enlarged bearing portion 61. Each pawl comprises an angle member 38 having a pair of spaced webs 69 and I9 secured thereto as by welding 12.

Screw 66 extends through webs III and 69, and disposed between bearing portion 61 and web 19 is a square steel washer 13, which is guided between one side of the angle and a plate 'l4'provided on pawl 88, and a plurality of resilient washers 15 which may be of rubber, fabric or any other suitable material having the required degree of resilience. The parts are clamped in place by means of a pair of nuts 16 threaded on screw 68. A resilient or yielding connection is accordingly provided between the parts of pawl 68 and the impulse applied to pin 65 is resiliently transmitted to pawl 68 as movement of bearing portion 61 of screw 68 to the right (Figure '7) compresses resilient washers l5.

Mounted on one end of bracket 62 is a guide channels of walking beam 6|.

' stroke.

l8 and a similar guide 19 is secured to the walking beam. A plunger 8|, slidably mounted in guides 18 and 19 and having a head 82, is resiliently urged against the pawl by meansv of a compression spring 83 thereby tending to bring the pawl into engagement with the work carrier. The engaging face 84 of pawl 68 is of conmay take the form of an adjustable member mounted on the body of the pawl, so that the same set of pawis may be employed to give various stopping points. Also, mechanism to be hereinafter described-makes it possible to ,adjust the dwell point with a single set of pawls.

It is accordingly apparent that as the walking beam is reciprocated about the axis of the conveyor, the pawls will ride up over teethl8 and 2| of the carrier involved and snap behind them on the back stroke under the influence of springs 83, and on the forward stroke will engage behind teeth IS and 2| and advance the carriers one step or a distance equal to the spacing of the carriers. The stroke of the walking beam is preferably greater than the spacing of the carriers for purposes to be hereinafter described.

Although any suitable mechanism may be employed for reciprocating the walking beam, in this form of my invention, I preferably employ a mechanism that will advance the conveyor comparatively rapidly on its forward stroke and then will move at its lower rate on its backward or idle stroke so as to allow the work to dwell in the blasting zone for a maximum period of time. One form of mechanism that may be used is shown in Figures. 2 and 6 and it comprises a driving shaft 85 supported for rotation in any suitable manner and driven by motor 86 and a reduction gear 81 (Figure 8) supported on girders l0. Shaft 85- carries a pinion 88 and meshes with a gear 89 mounted on a crankshaft 90 and the latter is supported for rotation in any suitable manner (not shown). Secured to shaft 99 is a crank arm 9| which carries a freely journaled roller 92 at its free end. Pinion 88 and gear 89 are enclosed by a housing 93 to protect them from atmospheric dust.

With reference to Figure 6, roller 92 rides between two raceways 94 and 95 welded to the Sufficient clearance. is provided to allow roller 92 to freely ride between raceways 94 and 95. With reference to Figure 2, with the parts rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow, crank arm 9| is disposed at the end of its work advancing movement and has brought a carrier into proper position in the blasting zone. Further movement of crank 9| will cause roller 92 to engage raceway 94 of walking beam BI and rock the same anti-clockwise It shouldbe particularly observed that when the crank 9| rotates through degrees during the backward stroke, roller 92 acts upon portions of the walking beam of increasing radius, with the" result that the walking beam in ,its backward or idie moves at a minimum speed approximately 90 degrees from the crank position shown in Figure 2. On the other hand, when crank 9| is roslow return stroke.

tated on the advancing stroke it acts upon portions ofwalking beam BI of decreasing radius, with the result that the walking beam undergoes a maximum speed when the crank arm is disposed approximately 270 degrees from the position shown in Figure 2. Therefore, by reason of the arrangement of parts disclosed, and which utilizes short radius arms on the advancing stroke and long radius arms on the idle stroke, the conveyor mechanism is stepped forward or advanced comparatively rapidly and then is permitted to dwell for a considerable period of time while the walking beam makes its comparatively In another form of my invention the crank is rotated in the opposite direction, and therefore the appended claims are intended to cover my machine irrespective of the direction of rotation.

Although I have shown a particular mechanism for advancing the conveyors comparatively rapidly and allowing themto dwell in the blast zone, it is to be understood that any other suitable mechanism may be employed for this purpose. For instance, a simple ratchet assembly, actuated by a fluid piston and cylinder assembly and having an automatically timed valve mechanism, for advancing the carrier and allowing it todwell any desired period of time in the blasting zone may be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention. One alternative form of mechanism will be described hereinafter.

Work turning mechanism Driving shaft 85 also carries a sprocket 91 which through a chain 98 drives a sprocket 99 supported on a shaft I Shaft IOI is mounted for rotation in any suitable manner and supported for rocking movement about shaft IOI is an arm assembly I02 upon which is journaled a shaft I03 carrying a sprocket I 04 and a pinion I05. A second chain I06 cooperates with sprocket I04 and a second sprocket I01 mounted on shaft I 0| for establishing a driving connection between shafts MI and I03. Connected to arm I02 is a bolt member I08 which passes through a fixed abutment I09. A compression spring IIO acts against arm I02 and reacts against abutment I09 to resiliently urge arm I02 in a clockwise direction and'thereby tend to bring pinion I into mesh with the teeth of gear 28 of the particular carrier that is in the blasting zone. The head of bolt I08 cooperates with the rear face of abutment" I09 to limit movement of arm I02 under the influemce of spring IIO to thereby prevent the teeth of the gear from meshing too deeply.

Assuming that the walking beam is advancing a carrier into the blast zone, gear 28 thereof strikes pinion I05 and meshes therewith. In the event that during this operationthe teeth do not initially mesh properly, or strike top-totop, arm I02 will merely swing backward slightly against the action of spring I I0, but willswing back as soon as the gears have meshed. When the gears have been brought into mesh, gear 28 begins to revolve anti-clockwise in Figure 2 and accordingly rotates the work about a vertical axis in a counter-clockwise direction in the blasting zone. It has been found that under some conditions of loading initial engagement of pinion I05 and gear 28 tends to rotate the whole carrier assembly backwardly or anticlockwise (Figure 2), and I have accordingly provided a backstop pawl II2 pivoted in any ahead of or behind the point of intersection of the blast streams without requiring adjustment of the parts, and they are accordingly selfcompensating. If desired, however, bolt I08 or abutment I09 may be adjusted to locate pinion I05 closer to or further from gear 28 in the event that the dwell point is to be materially changed.

I Too great offset in the dwell point, however,

is undesirable as a great part of the abrasive streams will not strike the Work at all and hence will be wasted.

Blast chamber construction The cabinet is provided with a work entrance opening II5. Inside the cabinet are provided three pairs of doors II! for providing three vestibules to baffle the abrasive and dust and prevent it from escaping from the cabinet. seen in Figure 2 the spacing of doors II I along the path of movement of the conveyor is such that they are out of registry with the carrier assemblies so that at least one pair of doors 'is always closed. Each door is provided with a rubber flap H8 at its free edge for enhancing the sealing action and each door is urged toward closed position by a tension spring II9 acting upon an arm I20 secured to the door. Only one assembly has been shown as they are all alike. As seen in Figure 6, arm I20 and spring H9 are located above the top of the cabinet and hence out of the dust-laden atmosphere. The doors are preferably operated by engagement of the work pieces therewith, but if desired a separate door operating means may be employed. An

advantage of the preferred arrangement is that,

the doors are only opened when an article of work is actually passing through the machine, thereby minimizing the possibility of dust and abrasive leakage from the cabinet.

In the central part of the cabinet, which will be hereinafter referred to as the blasting zone, are located a plurality of abrasive propelling devices for impinging upon the work as it dwells in the blasting zone. Although any suitable form of abrasive propelling device may be employed, 1 preferably use mechanical abrasive projecting mechanisms and in the present instance they have been shown as comprising centrifugal abrasive throwing wheels. Supported upon the central wall of the cabinet I23, and

preferably mounted for vertical adjustment thereon, is a centrifugal wlheel comprising a base I24, bearings I25 which support a shaft I26 having a pulley I21, a wheel housing I28. With reference to Figure 5, a rotor or wheel I29 is rigidly-mounted upon shaft I26 and is provided with a plurality of substantially radially disposed blades I30 which terminate short of the axis to define a central abrasive admitting space. Also supported on rotor I29 is an impeller blade assembly I3I. Mounted in the abrasive admitting space, and surrounding the impeller, is a hollowcontrol member I33, which is provided with a discharge slot I34.

Control member I33 is stationarily supported but is mounted for angular rocking adjusting movement about the axis of rotor I29, so that the direction of discharge may be varied to suit the particular type of work involved. Shaft I26 is rotated-at comparatively high speed (approximately 2400 R. P. M.) and the abrasive is fed into the interior of control member. I33 whence it is picked up by impeller blades I 3| and projected through opening I34. The abrasive is then picked up by blades I30 and slides outwardly over their surfaces under the influence of centrifugal force and is discharged from their tips at an abradingvelocity. In view of the fact that the abrasive, is admitted to only a limited periph be had to the copending application of William A,

Rosenberger and Walter L. Keefer, Serial No. 726,188, filed May 17, 1934.

' The various rotor shafts I26 are preferably.

driven by individual electric ,.motors mounted upon each base I 24, but they have not been shown in order to simplify the disclosure. In the interest of brevity, the abrasive propelling devices will be referred to hereinafter merely as wheels, and the wheel mounted upon wall I23 will be termed wheel S.

' the blasting zone.

" which has only shaliowcavities, it is satisfactory to stop each successive carrier as it reaches the Referring now to Figure 1, wheel S functions as an undershot wheel, i. e., the discharge originates mainly below the axis ofv the wheel, and discharges against or cleans substantially the whole side of the piece of work W shown in place in the blasting zone.

Mounted on the rear wall of cabinet A are-two wheels U and L. Wheel U functions as an overshot wheel and its blast stream (indicated by the broken lines in Figure 1.) is directed against the top of the work and the upper portions of its sides as it rotates. The lowerwheel L functions as an undershot wheel and as seen in Figure 1, it cleans the lower surface and the lower portions of the sides of work piece W as it is rotated in As seen in Figure 2, the wheels U and L are ofl'set from wheel S so that they will not discharge into each other during the interval that work is advanced. In order to reduce wear of the inner walls of the cabinet'to a minimum they are provided with any wear resistant material such as steel or rubber target pieces I 35 and I36, or any other suitable material. For blasting work that is free from cavities or intersection of the center lines or axes of the blast streams of the various wheels, (indicated inbroken lines in Figure 1). In-Figure 2 it is observed that the carrier disposed in blasting position rotates the work about a vertical axisat' the'intersection of the blast streams and also that the blast streams-intersect ata point located in the path of movement of the carrier. '1 prefer to use this arrangement as it has proven entirely satisfactory, but it is to be understood that if riers and that also the work may be stopped at a point either side of the point of intersection of the blast streams, depending upon the character described dwell points.

In Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13, I have illustrated diagrammatically the action of the blast stream upon a hollow or cavitied piece of work, and it is seen that the axis I38 about which the work revolves is located beyond the point of intersection I39 of the blast streams. In the present instance, the article of work is illustrated as a cylinder block, for an internal combustion engine and comprises a cylinder portion MI and a crankcase portion having side wallsI42 and I 43.

In Figure 10 wheel S is seen cleaning the interior of the cylinder walls and wheels U and L are cleaning crankcase wall I42. Also indicated in dotted lines in this figure is the same article of work supported at the intersection of the blast streams, and it is observed that although wheel S is cleaning in'the exterior of the block, wheels U and L are cut off from interior wall I42 of the crankcase.

In Figure 11, the work has been rotated through approximately degrees in the direction indicated and wheel S now cleans walls I43 of the crankcase and wheels U and L are cleaning the other half of the cylinder walls andthe exterior sides.

In Figure 12 the work has been rotated a slightly further distance and wheel S is now cleaning the full width of crankcase wall I43 and the wall of the cylinder. In Figure 13 the work has been rotated approximately 270 degrees from the position of Figure 1.0 and the wheels S, U and L are cleaning the external surfaces of the work.

In Figure 11 the dotted lines indicate how a cylinder block supported at the intersection of the blast streams blocks off wall I42 and in Figure 13 it illustrates how it cuts off wall I43 when thus supported.

It is accordingly seen that by using at least two abrasive streams, one located at each side of the article, and that by rotating the work about .an axis oifset from the intersection of the blast streams, pieces of work having deep cavities may be thoroughly cleaned. In Figure 2 the work is, of course, rotated about an axis intersecting the blast streams and this is entirely satisfactory where work W assumes the form of a billet or the like. Although three wheels have been shown,

it is to be understood that four or more wheels may be used if desired, depending upon the nature or shape of the work to be cleaned.

Inthe event that the work handled by the machine is longer or shorter vertically than that ilustrated in Figure 1, the blast wheels may be adjusted to thoroughly clean it irrespective of its vertical dimension. For instance, if long ar-' ticles areto be cleaned, the blast stream from cwheel U israised or rocked slightly-clockwise about its axis and the blast stream from wheel L is lowered or rotatedanti-clockwise about its axis. These adjustments are easily effected by rocking the control members I33 of the respective wheels in the proper direction to bring the blast streams into the proper/ position. Also, if the character of the work handled by the machine requires it, the wheels U, L and B may be adjusted upor down on the cabinet as'their bases are preferably secured thereto by bolts passing through vertically elongated slots therein. Although the wheels illustrated operate continuously irrespective of whether the carriers are advancing or are stationary, they may, if desired, be interconnected with the carrier stepping mechanism so as to only discharge abrasive when the work is in the blasting zone. One form of mechanism for accomplishing this will be disclosed hereinafter.

After the work has been cleaned it passes out of the blasting chamber by way of two pairs of doors II which are identical with doors II1 previously described, for baflling abrasive contained in the atmosphere in the blasting chamber. The work then passes into a chamber M where any desired finishing operation may be performed upon the work. Chamber M is preferably large enough to accommodate at least one worker who may for instance apply an air blast to the articles as they emerge from the blasting chamber to remove any accumulated abrasive and dust therefrom. As the work emerges from the chamber M it passes through a pair of spring actuated doors I52 similar to those previously discussed. The work may then be removed from hook 5| and replaced by new work, or if desired thework may be allowed to remain on the hook for a second passage through the machine for a further cleaning operation. In order to carry away any dust that may be formed during the blasting.

operation, the cabinet is provided with a pair of exhaust conduits I54 and I55 which are preferably led to suitable air exhausting and dust collecting apparatus. The action of exhaust conduits I54 and I55 establishes a slightly subatmospheric pressure in the apparatus and minimizes the tendency for any dust to escape into the atmosphere.

Abrasive supply system Abrasive may be supplied to the various wheels in any suitable manner, but I preferably employ an abrasive hopper H having a front leg I51 and a rear leg I58. As seen in Figure 1 the hopper is mounted directly over the mono-rail carriers and its legs straddle rail ll. Mounted at the lower end of leg I51 is an abrasive valve I59 for metering the quantity of abrasive flowing into a hopper I6I located therebeneath. Hopper I6I is connected to the control member I33 of wheel S by means of a pipe I62. Connected to rear leg I58 are a pair of abrasive control valves I64 and 1 I 65, which cooperate with hoppers I66 and I61 respectively. Hopper I61 leads into the intake of wheel U and hopper I68 is connected by means of a conduit I69 to the inlet of wheel L. The

.various abrasive valves are preferably, though not necessarily, synchronously controlled by means of links "I and I12 which are'connected.

to arms I13 and I14 of the abrasive valves, the rear valves being coupled together on the same shaft. Accordingly, by reciprocating rods "I all of the abrasive valves may be simultaneously opened to any desired degree, to control the quantity of abrasive fed to the wheels, or close to stop the blasting operation.

Abrasive reclamation apparatus The spent abrasive falls into a hopper having walls I15 and I16 and a bailie I 11, which terminates in a screen I18 at its lower end. Mounted over the hopper is a channel member I8I for the purpose of preventing wheel U from abrading the hopper walls. The wheels S and L are undershot wheels and it is therefore not necessary to guard against them. Wheel U, however, discharges downwardly in a vertical plane, and it zontal screw conveyor I82 which may be driven in any suitable manner and which propels the spent abrasive to an elevator I83, the latter being of any suitable type. Elevator I83 discharges the abrasivethrough a chute I84 into a cleaning drum I85.

Drum I85 comprises an outer imperforate shell I86 and an inner perforated shell or screen I81 which are mounted in spaced concentric relation upon a shaft I88 by means of a plurality of arms I89. The right-hand end of drum I86 is provided with a perforated portion I9I through which the cleaned abrasive drops into hopper H. Mounted between the two drums is a helix I92 and a similar helix I93 is provided on the interior of screen I81. A pulley I94 is secured to the outer surface of drum I86 and power may be applied theret in any suitable manner.

The hopper is completely closed and is connected to the suction and dust collecting system by means of a conduit I96 for establishing a draft of air from left to right in the drum. A seal ring I91 is mounted on the outside of drum I86 and cooperates with the vertical wall of hopper H providing a substantially air-tight joint between the parts.

As the spent abrasive enters the drum by way of chute I84, a part of the dust contained therein is freed by reason of the air currents entering the open end of the drum and is carried away to the dust collector. The abrasive and dust falls through screen I81 and is lifted by meansmf a plurality of paddles I98 disposed between the drums, and when it reaches a point near the top of the drum it is thrown back through the screen and into the path of the moving air stream, which removes the dust therefrom. Any refuse such as nails, casting fragments and the like, which are too large to pass through screen I81, are propelled along by the inner helix until they drop out of theend of the screen I81 where they fall into a chute structure I99 and may be carried away to any suitable container. When the abrasive finally reaches the right hand end of the drum under the propelling action of helix I92, it has been freed of all dust and fines and is dropped into hopper H, and is ready for re-use.

In view of the fact that front legs I51 of hopper H feed but a single wheel and rear leg I58 feeds two wheels, it is necessary that the rear leg contain twice as much abrasive as the front leg, and in order to maintain a proper ratio between the abrasive dropping out of drum I86 a selector member 20I is mounted in the hopper beneath drum I86 for rocking movement about a shaft 202. Shaft 202 is provided with a crank arm 208 located outside the cabinet and is equipped with a pin which may be selectively inserted in a plurality of holes 204 located on a plate secured to the hopper-exterior.

With the drum rotating in the direction indicated in Figure 1, it is apparent that by reason of the tangential discharge of the abrasive the greater part of it escaping from drum I86 would naturally find its way to the front leg of the hopper. Therefore deflector plate 20I isemleg, especially when the abrasive supply is low.

Normally, if an adequate abrasive supply is maintained, the legs of the hopper will be maintained full at all times and the abrasive will overfiow from one to the other.

Although I prefer to mount wheels U and L on the same side of the cabinet, it is to be understood that if desired wheel L may be mounted under wheel S- without departing from the spirit of the invention. Likewise wheels U and L are preferably overshot and undershot wheel's, respectively because it enables the wheels to be compactly located with respect to the central axis of the worl(and it also locates wheel L where the rebounding abrasivewill not find its way into the 'wheel. Moreover, wheels U and L may, if desired, be mounted further above and below the work respectively and be designed to discharge as undershot and overshot wheels without deby the dwell of the carrier in the blasting zone is-.

sufficient to thoroughly clean the work in one passage through the machine. However, in the event that it is desired to render the machine more flexible, it 'may be provided with suitable mechanism for causing the carrier advancing mechanism to skip one or more cycles, so as to allow the carriers to each dwell for a longer period of time in the blasting zone. f

In Figures 14 and 15 I have shown one form of mechanism for accomplishing this result. With continued reference to these figures, walking beam 6| is provided with a raceway 95 similar to that shown in Figure 6, but raceway 94a is cut away in two places to provide openings 2|9 and 2 through which roller 92 may pass. Pivoted on a hinge 2|2 secured to the side of beam 6| is a closure 213 which is urged toward the closed position shown in Figure 14 by spring means. Closure 2|3 carries a latch part 2|4 which extends under beam 6| as seen in Figure 15. Slidably mounted on the underside of beam 6|, by means of guides 2|5 and 2|6, isa latch bar 2|I, which when engaged with part 2|4 as shown in Figure I4, locks closure 2|3 in closed position.

Bar 2|'| is preferably provided with means for yieldingly holding it in any set position, for instance a leaf spring associated with one-of its guides (not shown).

It is apparent that when latch bar 2|'| is retracted, crank arm 9| may freely rotate in the direction indicated without producing movement of the carrier, because under these conditions roller 92 forces closure 2|3 into the dotted line position shown in Figure 14 and thereby escapes" from beam 6|. The roller then may freely enter opening 2 in the beam and mechanism is provided for selectively setting the mechanism to skip from one to six cycles of the shaft 9| without producing a corresponding actuation of walking beam 6|.

Mounted on a bracket 2|9 secured to beam 6| is a bell crank lever 22| carrying a roller 222. Roller 222 cooperates with a timing stop assembly comprising a bracket 223, secured to any suitablestationary part of the'machine and a slidwhich is pivotally mounted on an arm 229 which in turn is pivotally conected by means of a shaft 23| to the walking .beam. Pawl 228 is urged toward ratchet teeth 22'! by means of a spring'232 and its rear end is provided with a cam face 233 which is adapted to cooperate with a stationary -pin 234 secured to the underside of the walking beam.

Pawl 228 is automatically actuated by a cam plate 236 secured to pin 23| and which overlies beam 6| for cooperation with roller 92 as it passes back and forth in the channelin the walking beam. Cam plate 236 is provided with a lever portion 238 and secured to the free end thereof is a tension spring 239 which is connected to lock part 2|4 of closure 2|3.

With stop 224 disposed in the position shown in I Figure 14, and assuming that roller 92 is confined in the channel of beam 6|, the machine will operate in the same manner as that shown in Figures 1 to 13, inclusive, namely, beam 6| will reciprocate through a cycle each revolution of shaft 90 and the carriers will accordingly be advanced one step each revolution. The machine is accordingly set for one period blasting as the walking beam is synchronously carried back and forth by the crank arm.

If it is desired to blast the article for a longer period of time, say for four revolutions of shaft 90, stop 224 is pushed in to the mark opposite indicia'4. (A suitable frictionable detent of any known type, for instance a spring pressed ball, not shown, is employed tohold stop 224 in its set position). When shaft now rotates in the direction indicated and rocks beam 6| anti-clockwise into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 14, plunger 224 will strike roller 222' and retract ratchet bar 2|! a distance of five notches. Pawl 228 does not interfere with this 0 ration because stationary pin 234 maintains engagement with the ratchet teeth of bar 2|1. As roller 92 now brings beam 6| from the dotted position into the full line position it will strike plate 236 and rock arm 229 clockwise and therebyactuate pawl 228. During the initial movement of pawl 228-it snaps free of pin 234-and spring 232 brings it into engagement with the ratchet teeth. This operation moves bar 2 I3 one step toward locking position, but as it is still spaced a considerable distance from part -2|4 it does not lock closure 2| 3.

Accordingly roller 92 passes freely out of openout of I ing 2||I with the result that beam 6| remains stationary during the next rotation of roller l9. Because of roller, 92 striking plate 236 and retracting bar 2" a distance corresponding to one ratchet tooth before the roller makes its first pastil the fourth rotation of shaft 90, and ;at this time pawl 228 actuates bar 2 I into its final latching position and roller 92 again picks up beam Si by engaging closure 2|3 which is 'now locked in closed position.

Beam 6| is preferably yieldingly maintained in its idle position shown in Figure 14 by means of a tension spring 220 connected thereto and anchored to any suitable part of the structure.

It is accordingly seen that I have provided a mechanism which makes it possible to handle any kind of work regardless of the time required to clean it, because by properly adjusting stop 224 the advancing mechanism may be caused to omit from one to six advancing steps, and thereby cause the carriers to be successively moved into blasting position and to dwell in such position for periods up to six complete cycles or revolutions of shaft 90.

With the carriers comparatively closely spaced about the conveyor track as shown, andwith the work advancing mechanism employed, which comparatively rapidly brings a new article of work into the blast zone, only a small amount of abrasive is wasted while the work carriers are advancing. However, if it is desired, the machine may be equipped with means for automatically shutting off the abrasive supplied to the wheels I while the work is being advanced, and in Figures 16 and 1'? I have illustrated one mechanism that may be employed for this purpose.

With continued reference to these figures, walking beam 6i is provided with a bracket 242 upon which is mounted a pin 243. Pivoted upon pin 243 is a pawl 244 having a pin 245 which extends beyond both faces thereof. Mounted for reciprocation adjacent pawl 244, by means of a pair of stationary guides 246 and a roller 241, is a bar 248 having a ratchet tooth recess 249 which cooperates with pawl 244.. Bar 246 is normally 244 drops into recess 249, and when thebeam 6| begins its work advancing stroke, bar 246' urged to the right by means of a compression spring 250 cooperating with a plunger or guide. Stationarily supported with guides 246 and roller 241 is a pair of members 25l having pawl disgiirgaging faces 252 adapted to cooperate with pin Pawl 244 is normally urged toward bar 246 by means of a compression spring 253 carried by bracket 242. Pivoted to bar 249 is a rod 255 which is pivotally connected to the crank arms of abrasive valves I59, I65 and I64, the last two being controlled by the same shaft.

With the parts disposed in the full line positions shown in Figures 16 and 17, and assuming that the walking beam is rocking clockwise, and hence is advancing a fresh article of work to the blasting zone, pawl 244, by reason of its engagement with rod 248, is moving the valves toward closed position.- Slightly before the work is brought into the blasting zone, pin 245 engages and rides up on inclined faces 252, which lift pawl 244 out of recess 249. As soon as the parts are free, spring 250 quickly snaps the abrasive valves into open position and the blast wheels are accordingly promptly supplied with abrasive. Whife the walking beam is going through its return stroke, pawl 244 merely rides upon bar 246. When bar 248 reaches the end of its stroke pawl closes the abrasive valves in the manner just described. By automatically cutting off the abrasive flow in this manner, the wear on the blades of the wheels, the wear of the cabinet walls, and the disintegration of the abrasive, are materially reduced. It is to be understood that any desired timing of the abrasive may be effected by the apparatus just described by adjusting the points at which the pawl is picked up and tripped.

In Figures 16 and 19 there is illustrated a timing mechanism which is somewhat similar to that shown in Figures 14 and 15 and as many of the parts are similar, corresponding reference characters, with the subscript a will be used to designate them in these figures.

In this form of the invention crank 9i and roller 92 rotate in the opposite direction from the previously described forms of the invention and walking beam 6| is accordingly reciprocated at a greater speed in a counterclockwise direction than in a clockwise direction. The positions of ratchet bar 2l1a, bell crank 22la and door or gate 2|4a are reversed in this form of the invention to take care of the reversed rotation and pawl 232a is of slightly different form as it is provided with a cam face 26l which cooperates with a cam 262. mounted on the lower, face of the walking beam.

As seen in Figure 18, cam 262 normally holds pawl 232a free of ratchet teeth 221a, and when roller 92 strikes plates 236a and rocks lever 229a, pawl 232a is moved to the right and rides off of cam 262 and drops into teeth 221a of ratchet bar 2l1a.

Closure 2I3a is urged, toward closed position by a spring 264 reacting against a bracket 265 carried by the walking beam and acting against a rod 266 connected to the closure. Pawl 232a is connected to a rod 263 having a pair of collars 261 and 266 secured thereto. A spring 269 encircles rod 263, and bears against collars 261 and 266 and against the ends of a hollow sleeve 21!, the latter being secured to beam 6|. Spring 269 normally holds pawl 232a in the position shown in Figure 18, and when lever 229a pushes pawl 232a to the right collar 261 compresses spring 269 between it and the other end of sleeve. Pawl 232a and rod 263 act in effect as a toggle, and a stationary guide pin 212 prevents the toggle from breaking upwardly when roller 92 moves pawl 232a to the left and compresses spring 269 between collar 266 and the other end of sleeve 21l.

This device operates in a manner similar to that previously described. With gate 2l3a locked and with roller 92 disposed within the channel of beam 6| and rotating through its orbit in the direction shown, the walking beam will reciprocate and advance the carriers one step each time shaft 90 makes a complete revolution. During this operation roller 92 will strike plate 236a and reciprocate pawl 232a idly back and forth only once each cycle because when roller 92 moves to the right plate 236a. and pawl 232a are only able to follow the roller as far as the position shown in Figure 18, by reason of the double acting spring assembly.

Assuming that plunger 224 (not shown in Fig ure 18) is set for four period blasting, roller 222a will strike plunger 224 and retract ratchet bar 2 Ha a distance corresponding to five notches. When roller attains its upper position, it will actuate pawl 232a and advance bar 2l1a.one notch as before. Roller 92 will then push gate 2|3a open and pass through its orbit leaving beam 6| idle. Roller 92 will successively strike plate 236a. each revolution and advance ratchet bar 2l1a toward locking position, and at the end of four revolutions of roller 92 the latter will pick up beam 6| and advance the carriers.

In Figures 20 and 21 is illustrated one form of mechanism for adjusting the point at which each carrier will dwell in the blasting zone. In

. means of a pair of studs 2!, each of which is secured to one of side plates 282 and 283. Studs 2! pass freely through openings in a pair of ears 292 and 293 formed on member 281 and they are locked with respect thereto by means of a pair of lock nuts 294.

As shown' in Figures 20 and 21, the parts are fully extended and crank 9Ia is accordingly of maximum length, andtherefore each carrier will be advanced a maximum distance. In the particular machine shown the maximum travel of the carrier places the dwell point of the axis of. rotation of the work four inches beyond the intersection of the blast streams. The device can, of course, be calibrated in angles or any other unit of measurement. ger 298 of plate 284 is accordingly in register with numeral 4 of the indicia 291 marked on arm 281. I

If it is desired to stop the work before it attains the intersection of the blast streams, nuts 294 are adjusted on studs 29I to draw arm 281 inwardly until finger 296 registers with one of the numerals the other side of zero. The machine is designed so that the carriers will dwell at the intersection of the blast streams when finger 296. registers with the-zero numeral. As previously pointed out,the parts are so designed that walking beam 6| has an amplitude of swing which is greater than the angle between adjacent carriers, hence pawls 68 will always pick up the carriers, irrespective of whether crank 9Ia be adiusted to give a long or a short throw. When the crank is adjusted to give a short throw there will of course be more lost motion present when the pawls pick up the carriers.

When the machine is equipped with a crank oi the character just described I preferably employ a backstop pawl assembly of the type shown in Figure 22. In this assembly a pawl 38I, having teeth 382, is mounted on .a pivot 383 adjacent the path of travel of the carriers. A spring 384 normally maintains :Ewl 38I in-engagement with the outer periphery of ring I6.

This pawl assembly functions to prevent rear ward movement of the carriers irrespective of where they are stopped because any reverse rotation tendencies of ring I8 causes teeth 382 to bite thereinto and lock the carriers. If desired the outer periphery of ring I6 may be provided with serrations to augment the locking action.

In Figures 23 and 24 is illustrated one of the doors preferably employed in my machine. Each door comprises a pipe or shaft 386 to the upper end of which is secured the operating leverv I28. Welded to shaft 386 is a plate 381, and bolted to the top and bottom edges of this plate are a pair of bars 388 and 389. Secured to the free edge of plate 381 and bars 388 and 389, by means of clamping bars and bolts, is a comparatively thick curtain 3I8 of rubber or any other suitable flexible material. Also clamped to bars 388 and 389' The indicator finare a pair of flaps 3I2 and 3I3, which are adapted to wipe against the top and bottom surfaces of. the cabinet and establish a dust tight seal. In order to seal the doors adjacent the hinges each door is provided with a flap of flexible material 3, which wipes against shaft 386.

By reason of flexible material 3I8 each pair of doors seal tightly and as they are held in suspended position by bars 388 and 389 they will not sag out of shape even after they have been in use for some time. The work, in passing through the machine, strikes part 3I8, thereby swinging the doors open ,against the action of springs H9, and parts 3I8, being soft, do not injure even the most fragile castings.

In Figure 25 I have diagrammatically illustrated a simple linkage' mechanism for simultaneously operating the control cages I33 of wheels U and L. As previously pointed out, if

a piece of work having a vertical dimension greater than that shown in Figure 1 is placedin the machine, it is preferably supported so that its transverse axis will lie substantially intermediate the top and bottom walls of the blast chamber. It is accordingly necessary to lower the blast stream from wheel L, and to raise, by an equal amount, the blast stream from wheel U.

The mechanism shown in Figure 25 efiects a. simultaneous adjustment of both wheels and comprises a lever 328 pivoted at 32I in any suitable manner on the cabinet and is connected to control members I33 of wheels U and L by means of a pair of links 322 and 323 respectively. By rocking lever 328 clockwise the control member of wheel U is rocked counter-clockwise and the blast stream lowered and the control member of wheel L is rocked in a clockwise direction and its stream raised. In Figure 25a shorter piece of work is shown and the wheels adjusted to properly abrade it. Longer articles of work may be accommodated by rocking lever 328 counter-clockwise.

A plate 325, having any suitable form of graduations, for instance, it may be marked in terms of vertical work height, may be mounted adjacent a pointer portion 326 of lever 328. If under some conditions it is desirable, links may be connected to the control member of wheel U 188 degrees from the position shown, whereby both control members I33 will rock clockwise in response to clockwise movement of lever 328.' Moreover, lever 328 may be reciprocated by any suitable power operated timed mechanism for causing the blast streams to sweep up and down as the work is suspended in the blast zone without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the mechanism could be synchronized with the work-turning mechanism, so as to cause the blast streams to sweep over the work in a predetermined manner each revolution.

As previously pointed out, the walking beam disclosed is only one form the work-advancing mechanism may assume. In Figure 26 I have illustrated a different form of work-advancing mechanism and also an independent motor for rotating the work, whereby it may be turned independently of the work-advancing mechanism.

In this figure the work-turning motor drive is shown in elevation and the: sprocket and chain drive for the carriers is shown (on a reduced scale) diagrammatically in top plan view. Arm I82a is shorter vertically than arm I82 and is mounted on a support 33I for swinging movement about a vertical axis so as to bring gear I85 into mesh with the various carrier gears 28.

Mounted above support 33I isa motor 332 have ing any suitable speed reducing mechanism 333. The output shaft 334 is disposed directly over the pivot for arm 592m. A sprocket335 is mounted on shaft 334 and drives a similar sprocket 335a on shaft I93 by means of a chain 336.

The ,carrier assembly is driven by a motor 331 coupled thereto by means of a chain 338, passing over a sprocket 339 driven by the motor, and

passing around ring I6. Chain 338 may mesh shown in Figure 26 and comprises a commu tator drum 343 driven at comparatively low speed from gear box 333.

Drum 343 is provided with a plurality of rows 344, 345, 346, 341 and 348 of segments 349. All of the segments are of equal circumferential length, in order that the carriers will be advanced an equal amount every time the circuit is made, and they are connected to a slip ring 35 i 352 and a brush connect slip ring 35l to motor 331. Another lead 353 connects the motor with one side of the line. is'connected to a sliding contact finger 354 by means of a lead 355. Finger 354 is guided for movement axially of the drum on anon-circular rod 356, which is carried by a plate 351. Plate 351 is provided with a pair of curved slots 358 through which a pair of screws 359 extend and clamp plate 351 to the housing of gear assembly Assuming that motor 332 is operating, the carriers are loaded and finger 354 is disposed in the position shown, the carriers will be successively advanced each time that a segment 349 contacts finger 354 and closes the circuit for motor 331.

Segments 349 are so designed that with a predetermined constant speed of drum 343, the circuit for' motor 331 is closed for a time interval sufllciently long to advance the carrier assembly the blast zone its gear meshes with pinion I65- and is accordingly driven by motor 332. If it is desired to vary the work-turning speed by varymg the speed of motor 332, drum 343 is prefer- I ably driven by an independent motor so as to maintainits speed substantially constant, and the appended claims are intended to cover the timing mechanism irrespective of the source of power for drum 343.

If it is desired to increase or decrease the time period during which each carrier wfll dwell in the blast zone, finger 354 is slid axially to co-' copending application of William A. Rosen- A lead- The other side of the line a segment rows'344 and 345 to shorten the period. As illustrated, the parts are adjusted to stop the carriers and rotate the work about an axis adjacent the intersection of the blast streams. If it is desired to stop the carriers beyond this 5 dwell point, screws 359 are loosened and plate 351 rocked a slight predetermined amount in a clockwise direction and the screws again tightened. The effect of this is to cause the carrier assembly to be picked up later and stopped later in point of time, and thereby stop and dwell at a point beyond that for which his set in Figure 27. If it is desired to stop the carriers prior to attaining the intersection of the blast streams plate 354 is adjusted in the opposite direction, i. e., counterclockwise so as to cause motor to pick u and stop the carrier earlier.

Certain features of the apparatus shown herein are disclosed and morelbroadly claimed in the 20 'berger, Serial No. 34,990, filed August 6, 1935.

invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In an abrading machine, a circular track 35 disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, a plurality of carriers mounted for guided movement on said track, at least one work support mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis on each of said carriers, and means for rigidly interconnecting all of said carriers for synchronous movement about said track.

2. The abrading apparatus-described in claim 1, wherein said means comprises at least one ring member connected to each of said carriers.

3, In an abrading machine, a cabinet of .generally U-shaped form in the top plan view and having an arcuately shaped slotin its-upper surface, a circular track'supported above said cabinet and lying substantially in a horizontal plane,

, a plurality of work supports mounted for guided movement on said track and depending through the slot in said cabinet, the central portion of said cabinet defining a blasting zone and being provided adjacent its bight with devicesfor projecting abrasives at abrading velocities toward both sides of articles moving through said blasting zone in the path defined by said circular track, said devices being located on opposite sides of the path of movement of said articles.

4. The abrading apparatus described in claim#, wherein said devices comprise at least one abrasive throwing wheel assembly mounted on the exterior surface of opposite walls of said cabinet and registering with openings in the latter for projecting abrasive into said blasting zone.

5. In an abrading apparatus, a cabinet struc-' ture having a slot in its upper surface, a track mounted above said cabinet, a plurality of carriers mounted for guided movement on said track and having elements depending through the slot in said cabinet, at least one baiiie member locatedinsaid cabinet adjacent said slot and carried by said elements for synchronous move- 75 said blasting zone, to dwell in saidblastingfzone' ment therewith, said baflle member having a width greater than the width of said slot,for preventing rebounding abrasive from escaping from said cabinet.

6. In an abrading machine, a conveyor mechanism for carrying articles of work in a substantially horizontal path through a. blasting zone, a plurality of rotatable abrasive propelling devices mountedadjacent the path of movement of said articles of work for cleaning the same, each of said abrasive propelling devices being operable to substantially tangentially throw a restricted fan-shaped stream of abrasive toward said articles of work, one of said abrasive propelling devices being located with its axis of rotation adjacent the upper part of the path of movement of said articles of work and being an. overshot abrasive propelling wheel, for cleaning the top surfaces and the upper part of the sides thereof, and another of said abrasive propelling devices being located with its axis of rotation disposed adjacent the lower part of the path of movement of ,said articles of work and being an undershot. abrasive propelling wheel, for cleaning the bottom surfaces and the lower part of the sides thereof, said abrasive propelling de-- vices being provided with means for simultaneously adjusting their discharge streams about their axes, for accommodating the machine to articles of work of various heights.

'7. In an abrading machine, a track, a plurality of carriers mounted for guided movement on said track and operable to carry articles of work from a loading zone to a blasting zone, means connecting said carriers together for synchronous movement, at least one work support journaled upon each of said carriers for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, each of said work supports having a toothed driving member, and yieldingly supported driving means for engaging said toothed driving member, and rotating said work support when said carrier is brought into said blasting zone.

8. The abrading machine described in claim '7. wherein said yieldingly. supported driving means comprises a gear mounted for rotationwand also for limited translational movemenbtoward and away from said toothed driving means of said work support. 501

, together with means for intermittently advanc- 9. The abrading machine described in claim 7.

ing said carriers into said blasting zone, said yieldinglyysupported driving means being automatically operable to, successively engage and drive the toothed members of said work supports as they are brought into said blasting zone.

} 10. In an abrading machine, a track, a plu-' rality of carriers mounted for guided movement on said track and operable to carry articles of work from a loading zone into a blasting zone, means connecting said carriers together for synchronous movement, at least one work support journaled upon each of said carriers and havin a drivingmember, means for intermittently advancing said carriers into said blasting zone, power operated means for automatically engaging and driving the driving member of each,

work support when it is brought into said blasting zone, and means for inhibiting retrograde movement ofsaid carriers when said driving members engage said power operated means.

11. In an abrading machine, a plurality of carriers mounted for movement from 'a loading zone into a blasting zone, a mechanism for causing said carriers to intermittently advance into for a period of time that is greater than the time required to advance said carriers into said blasting zone, and to then pass out of'said blasting zone, comprising a reciprocable member having means for establishing a connection between it and said carriers in succession, and means for causing said member to reciprocate at a greater speed in one direction than in the reverse direction.

12. In an abrading machine, a conveyor for carrying articles from a loading zone to a blasting zone, a reciprocating mechanism for causing said conveyor to advance said articles one step each cycle, and selectively operable means for causing said mechanism to only advance said conveyor one step each second or more cycles.

[ ,13. In an abrading machine, a plurality of work carriers mounted for movement into a blasting zone, means for advancing said carriers stepby-step into said blasting zone and for causing each of said carriers to successively dwell thereinfor a predetermined treatment of the article of work supported thereby, an abrasive propelling mechanism mounted in said blast zone, means for feeding an abrasive to said abrasive propelling mechanism, and means for causing said lastnamed means to automatically cease feeding abrasive when said carriers are being advanced by said first-named means.

, 14. In an abrading apparatus, a cabinet structure having a slot in its upper surface, a track mounted above said cabinet, a plurality of carriers mounted for guided movement'on said track and having .elements depending through the slot net structure and bridging said slots and cooperating in sealing engagement therewith, said elements extending loosely through said second baille member whereby the latter may freely gravitate downwardly thereon and rest upon said cabinet.

15. In an brading apparatus, a conveyor mechanism for moving articles of work through a blasting zone, means for driving said conveyor mechanism, comprising an elongated member mounted for oscillation and connected to and operable to advance said conveyor one step each time it oscillates, a crank mounted for rotation adjacent said member, and variable functioning means for connecting said crank to said memher, said variable functioning means being selectively operable to either oscillate said member upon each revolution of said crank or upon each predetermined number of revolutions of said crank.

16. In an abrading apparatus, a conveyor mechanism for moving articles of work through a blasting zone, means for driving said conveyor mechanism comprising an elongated member mounted for oscillation and connected to and operable to advance said conveyor one-step each time it is oscillated, said member having guideway means provided thereon, a crank mounted for rotation adjacent said member and having the free end thereof engaged with said guideway means, said guideway means being selectively operable to allow said crank to disengage itself from said member to allow said crank to undergo an idle stroke independently .of said member, and control means for said guideway means operable to cause said member to either oscillate upon each revolution of the crankor upon each predetermined number of revolutions of said crank.

17. The abrading apparatus described in claim 16, wherein said guideway means comprises a pair of flange elements provided upon said member, one of said flange elements being pivoted so as to open the guideway formed by said flange elements and allow ,s'aid crank to 'become disengaged therefrom.

18. In an abrading apparatus, a conveyor mechthereof, whereby the distance that said articles of work are advanced by said crank may be selectively varied.

19. In an abrading apparatus, a conveyor mechanism for moving articles of work through a blasting zone, means for driving said conveyor mechanism including an electric motor connected to said conveyor mechanism, and means for controlling the supply of electric power to said motor comprising a circuit, a circuit controlling means comprising means for closing said circuit for a length of time sufficient to allow said motor to advance said conveyor mechanism a distance corresponding to the spacing of said articles of work and then automatically break said circuit, said circuit control means being operable to maintain said circuit broken for a longer period than it is maintained closed, to thereby maintain said articles of work at rest in said zone fora longer period of time than is required to bring said articles of work into said blast zone.

20. The abrading apparatus described in claim 19, wherein said circuit controlling means embodies adjustable means for selectively varying the time interval during which said circuit is broken, to thereby vary the length of time said articles of work 'will ee treated in said blast zone.

21. The abrading apparatus described in claim 19, wherein said circuit controlling means embodies means for selectively varying the position where said motor will stop said articles of work in said blast zone, for varying the abrading action to which the work is subjected in said blast zone.

22. In an abrading machine, a plurality of work carriers having means mounting them for translational movement in a substantially horizontal path from a loading zone to a blasting zone, and means for causing said carriers to intermittently advance into said blasting zone, to dwell in said blasting zone for a period of time that is greater than the time required to advance said carriers into said ,blasting zone, and to then pass out of said blasting zone, said second named means comprising a reciprocable member having means for establishing a yielding connection between it and said carriers in succession.

23. In an abrading apparatus for subjecting work units to the action of abrasive thrown at high velocity, said work units comprising at least one member having at least one opening therein, means providing a loading zone and a blasting zone, conveyor means for transporting said work units in succession from said loading zone to said blasting zone, blast means in said blasting zone for projecting at least one fan- 'shaped stream of abrasive toward said work units as they travel through said blasting zone, said conveyor means being operable to advance said work units into said blasting zone and to cause each work unit to dwell for a predetermined time in front of said blast means, said conveyor means also embodying means for causing each of said work units to rotate about an axis disposed substantially transverse to the path of movement of said work units through said blasting zone to present alternately their openings to the action of said stream of abrasive as said work units successively dwell in front of said blast means, said axis being offset a predetermined distance from said blast stream, to thereby insure thorough cleaning of the interior surfaces of the openings in said work units, the plane of said blast stream being substantially parallel to the Y axis of rotation of said work units.

24. The abrading apparatus set forth in claim 23, wherein said conveyor means embodies means for selectively adjusting the point of dwell of said work units in said blasting zone, whereby the degree of offset of said axis of rotation of said work units from said blast stream may be selectively varied, for varying the action of said blast stream upon said work units.

25. In an abrading apparatus for subjecting work units to the action of abrasive thrown at high velocity, said work units comprising at least one member having at least one opening therein, means providing a loading zone and a blasting zone, conveyor means for transporting said work units in succession from said loading zone to said blasting zone, blast means in said blasting zone for projecting at least one stream of abrasive in a direction substantially transversely to the path of movement of said work units through said blasting zone, said conveyor means being operable to advance said work units into said blasting zone and to cause each work unit to dwell for a predetermined time in front of said blast means, said conveyor means also embodying means for causing each of said articles to rotate about an axis disposed substantially transverse to the path of movement of said work units through said blastingzone and alternately present their openings to the action of said stream of abrasive as said work units successively dwell in front of said blast means, said axis being offset a predetermined distance along said path from said blast stream, to thereby insure thorough cleaning of the interior of the opening in said work units, and a second blast means in said blast zone for projecting a stream of abrasive generallytransverse tov the path of movement of said work units and so located as to intersect said path of movement of said work units at a point offset from said axis about which said work units rotate in front of said first-named blast means.

26. The abrading apparatus set forth in claim 25, wherein said blast means are located on either and are so disposed as to project their blast streams at an angle of somewhat less than 180 to each other, said blast streams having a common point of intersection adjacent the path of movement of said work units.

stopping said article at said blasting position and rotating itfor a predetermined length of time about an axis disposed substantially transverse to the path of movement taken by the article being conveyed into said blasting position, and substantially parallel to the planes of said blast streams.

28. In an abrading apparatus, a cabinet providing a blasting zone, a conveying mechanism.

for moving articles of work in a substantially horizontal path through said blasting zone, comprising a series of inter-connected carriers, means for directing an abrasive blast against the articles of work located yield thereof in response to impact ofsaid pawl with said conveyor mechanism parts.

29. In an abrading apparatus, a cabinet providing a blasting zone, a conveying mechanism for moving articles of work in a substantially horizontal path through said blasting zone, comprising a series of interconnected carriers, means mechanism to advance the latter when said member is rocked in one direction, said member being incapable of effecting movement of said conveyor mechanism when it is rocked in the opposite direction, said member having a guideway, a crank mounted for rotation and having roller means cooperating with said guideway for effecting oscillation of said member, the axis of rotation of said crank being so located with respect to said 31. In an abrading apparatus for subjecting work units to the action of abrasive thrown at high velocity, said work units comprising at least movement of said work units through said blast- I ing zone to present alternately their opening to the action of said streams of abrasive as said work units successively dwell in front of said blast means, said axis of rotationot said work units being offset a predetermined distance from said last streams, to thereby insure thorough cleaning of the interior surfaces of the openings of said work units, the planes of said blast streams being substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of work units.

ERIC 0. HAMREN. 

